Massive American utes in Australia expose problem with small CBD roads
One photo exposes a clear problem with Aussies’ growing love affair with huge American utes
- Huge ‘Yank tank’ ute slammed for ‘traffic blockade’
- Chevrolet Silverado was parked across the boundary line
- Motorists want the popular vehicle type off the street
A photo of a huge American pickup truck in a parking lot with the rear sticking out into oncoming traffic has been slammed online.
An onlooker posted footage of a six-foot parked Chevrolet Silverado sticking out into the street, blocking traffic and posing a dangerous hazard in Melbourne’s Bayside.
It’s because the huge popularity of the oversized ‘Yank tanks’ has led to calls for the massive vehicles to be banned across Australia.
Photos of the white crew-cab vehicle showed it parked at a 45-degree angle between a row of cars, with the blade protruding beyond the white-painted boundary line on the road.
Another image revealed the huge truck blocking traffic, with a Kia driver turning back to pass.
A disgruntled onlooker posted to social media on Thursday footage of a parked Chevrolet Silverado ute jutting out into the street, blocking traffic (pictured) in Melbourne’s Bayside
An image revealed the massive truck was blocking traffic, with a black Kia driver turning behind to pass (pictured)
The images were captioned, “Yank tank blocking traffic, things happening.”
Commentators took aim at the parked vehicle, while others described their own run-ins with the “city-slicker utes.”
βDon’t see this corner often. Usually only see the front – they take up your whole rearview mirror,” one joked.
“She blinds everyone with her super-high beams, she’s a squirrel crushing, deer smacking, driving machine!” said another.
Clearly parked incorrectly. Where are the police?’ asked a third.
‘Send the photo to the municipality via their ‘report it’ page?’ a fourth wrote.
The pickup style trucks have become increasingly popular in Australia.
Sales of the RAM 1500 brand ute have soared across Australia in just five years with over 4,000 units sold in 2021 – compared to just 292 in 2016, the Canberra times reported.
Ford is importing the larger F-150 pickup, converted to right-hand drive, with stocks due to arrive at dealerships in mid-2023.
Ford imports the larger F-150 pickup, converted to right-hand drive, with stocks due to arrive at dealers in mid-2023
The RAM 1500 brand utes (pictured) have exploded in popularity across Australia in just five years with over 4,000 units sold in 2021 β compared to just 292 in 2016
An angry Jaycar customer shared a photo (photo) of a RAM van taking up four parking lots outside the electronics store
At 5,885 meters in length, the best-selling vehicle on US roads would be one of the largest cars in Australia at a time of high gasoline prices.
Only the Chevrolet Silverado is longer at 5,931 feet, while the F-150 is slightly taller than the Dodge RAM at 5,833 feet.
Other popular models sold in Australia include the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan, but these are privately imported.
The latest Chevrolet Silverado model can retail from $110,000 to a whopping $163,000.
But Australian owners of the huge “American” utes have been vilified for taking up multiple parking spaces.
Several outraged motorists have berated owners of “paving princess” utility vehicles for using their oversized cars to clog roads “not designed for them.”
An angry Jaycar customer shared a photo of a RAM car taking up four parking lots outside the electronics store.
There are also fears that aging multi-story parking garage infrastructure is at risk of collapse under the influx of heavy US vehicles and EVs.
General Motors, manufacturer of the Chevrolet Silverado, was approached by Daily Mail Australia for comment.